CostIndexUSA

Akron, OH vs Fort Smith, AR Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

OH
Akron
93.4
overall index
$1,225/mo rent
More AffordableAR
Fort Smith
85.9
overall index
$1,025/mo rent

Fort Smith is moderately cheaper than Akron — 8.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Akron, you would need $73,600 in Fort Smith. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing30.5%
Akron
76.8
Fort Smith
53.4
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Akron
93.6
Fort Smith
93.6
🚗 Transportation3.7%
Akron
103.9
Fort Smith
100.1
🏥 Healthcare3.6%
Akron
94
Fort Smith
90.6
Utilities23.4%
Akron
96.4
Fort Smith
73.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Akron to see what you'd need to earn in Fort Smith to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Fort Smith, AR
$73,600
$6,400 less needed in Fort Smith

Formula: salary × (85.9 ÷ 93.4) = salary × 0.9197. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Akron, OH

Median Home Price
$225,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,225
Housing Index
76.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.3×

Fort Smith, AR

Median Home Price
$195,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,025
Housing Index
53.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.9×

Akron has 30.5% lower housing costs compared to Fort Smith.

Income & Job Market

Akron, OH

Median Household Income
$70,100
Per Capita Income
$40,000
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
190,469
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareEducationTechnologyFinance

Fort Smith, AR

Median Household Income
$58,600
Per Capita Income
$33,400
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
88,037
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareRetailGovernmentFinance

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Akron, OH
4.8×income-to-rent ratio

79% of income left after rent (median)

Fort Smith, AR
4.8×income-to-rent ratio

79% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.